Cincinnati Bengals Urged to Swing for the Fences with Blockbuster Trade for All-Pro

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Cincinnati Bengals Urged to Swing for the Fences with Blockbuster Trade for All-Pro

Cincinnati Bengals Urged to Swing for the Fences with Blockbuster Trade for All-Pro — IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Andrew Buller-Russ

Thu, October 29, 2026 at 5:45 PM UTC ·

3 min read

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Despite a 4-2 start to their season, the Cincinnati Bengals still find themselves in third place of the AFC North. That's the same place they finished in last season. Yet, compared to their 2-4 start last year, plus having a healthy Joe Burrow, the Bengals will take this reality 10 times out of 10.

Though, of course, they'd like to climb up the ladder, ahead of the 5-2 Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Boasting a top-five defense and a top-10 defense, where can the Bengals improve? One NFL analyst believes there's one player out there who could make the Bengals Super Bowl contenders again. But who is it?

Jonathan Taylor Deemed as Cincinnati Bengals' Missing Piece for Super Bowl Run

When the season started, the Bengals felt like they had a very capable running back in Chase Brown. After all, he rumbled for a career-high 1,019 rushing yards last season, also setting a new personal best with 1,456 yards from scrimmage.

Unfortunately, the 2026 season has painted a different picture. Instead, the fourth-year pro is averaging a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry. Now in the final year of his contract, the Bengals could get an early start on finding his replacement.

Recently, The Athletic 's Ted Nguyen suggested the Bengals should push their chips all-in and trade for All-Pro rusher Jonathan Taylor . His projected trade sends Taylor to the Bengals in exchange for a second and a fourth-round pick. It's a heavy cost, but one that may be worth the price, much like Dexter Lawrence was.

"The Bengals tried to go under center more, but Joe Burrow has been ineffective, so they've gone back to a shotgun-heavy offense. Taylor is one of the league's best shotgun runners and a dangerous receiver. The Bengals have invested in their offense, but Taylor could make them borderline unstoppable."

Ted Nguyen on Jonathan Taylor Trade to Bengals

Taylor ranks fifth in the NFL with 587 rushing yards this season. Keep in mind that's been with an ineffective Daniel Jones operating the Colts' offense. Imagine how much more effective Taylor could be if defenses also had to account for Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins? It could be a match made in heaven, and possibly set this Bengals up for success for years to come.

Of course, there's no guarantee the Colts will trade their three-time Pro Bowl running back who's under contract through 2028. But if they do, the Bengals should be at the negotiation table.